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Tips for college grads facing hiring challenges

For college seniors, this should be a time to make memories, walk across the stage, and look for that first real-world job. Instead, Peter Corrigan says 50% of graduating seniors have put those plans on hold.

He’s the Associate Director of Employer & Alumni Connections at the University of Arizona.

Corrigan says this data comes from the Career Destination Survey that went out a couple of weeks ago.

“Students accepted these offers in the Fall and were ready to go to work and then found out they didn't have a job...so now we are scrambling to support them and find new opportunities for them,” he told KGUN9.

Corrigan says some professional internships have also been suspended, and some graduate programs have been postponed.

Meantime, while this is a time of uncertainty, he says now is not the time to panic.

Instead he encourages new alumni to take action.

“I mean the world get’s jobs by talking to people. So I mean get on LinkedIn, be you know reaching out to people, asking them questions, setting up informational interviews.>

Not to mention, the importance of updating professional profiles, in a world that’s gone virtual.

“Get your name out there and have a good brand. Have your LinkedIn profile looking good and have a resume that you’re proud to give to people, and it has all your transferable skills on there,” Corrigan said.

Now, if you’re a Wildcat looking for a hub with job postings, Corrigan says the Student Services & Career website is where you want to go.

“If you go to www.career.arizona.edu you can see all our resources. You can see how to make virtual appointments with career educators,” he added.

Bottom line, now is the time where graduates need to be flexible, until life goes back to normal.

But, until then, here is Corrigan’s message to all students.

“Stay connected. Reach out. Stay connected with networking and things like that, and we’re here for you,” he told KGUN9.